Many people grind or clench their teeth without realizing it. Dentists call the habit bruxism, and it often shows up first not as pain but as wear: flattened edges, small chips, or teeth that suddenly feel sensitive. This guide focuses on what grinding does to the teeth themselves, how a dentist recognizes it, and the practical ways to protect your enamel. If your main problem is jaw joint pain, clicking or limited opening, our separate guide to TMJ and TMD covers the jaw joint in more depth.
What bruxism is
MedlinePlus defines bruxism as grinding your teeth, meaning sliding them back and forth over each other. People can clench and grind without being aware of it, and it can happen during the day or at night. MedlinePlus notes that grinding during sleep is often the bigger problem because it is harder to control (MedlinePlus: Bruxism).
The ADA’s MouthHealthy site makes the same point from the dentist’s side of the chair: most people are not aware they are clenching or grinding, and dentists and dental hygienists are often the first to notice the signs (MouthHealthy: Teeth grinding). That is one reason routine checkups matter even when nothing hurts.
How grinding shows up on your teeth
Grinding puts repeated force on surfaces that were designed for brief contact while chewing. Over time that can leave visible marks. MouthHealthy lists the signs a dentist looks for as chipped or cracked teeth and worn, damaged spots along the edges of teeth. MedlinePlus adds that grinding can wear down the teeth and lists hot, cold or sweet sensitivity among the symptoms associated with bruxism.
Common clues
- Flattened or shortened biting edges, especially on front teeth and the points of canines.
- Small chips or craze lines in enamel, or a tooth that cracks under ordinary chewing. See our guide to a cracked or chipped tooth for what to do next.
- New sensitivity to cold or sweets as worn enamel exposes the layer underneath. Our sensitive teeth guide explains other causes worth ruling out.
- Broken fillings or crowns that seem to fail sooner than expected.
- Morning symptoms such as sore jaw muscles or a dull headache. MouthHealthy also mentions plugged, painful or itchy ears and neck pain.
- A sleeping partner who hears grinding at night. MedlinePlus notes it can be noisy enough to bother others.
Why people grind
There is no single cause. MedlinePlus says there is some disagreement about the cause of bruxism and that daily stress may be the trigger in many people. MouthHealthy lists other possible contributors, including sleep disorders, teeth that don’t line up properly, and missing or crooked teeth. It also notes that grinding has been associated with tobacco and alcohol use.
MedlinePlus explains that whether grinding causes pain or damage varies from person to person, depending on factors such as stress, how long and how tightly you clench, whether your teeth are misaligned, posture, ability to relax, diet and sleeping habits. Some people grind and never notice symptoms at all.
Because sleep disorders are on the list, it is worth mentioning snoring, gasping or daytime sleepiness to your doctor or dentist. Our guide to sleep apnea and oral appliances explains how dentists and physicians work together on sleep-related breathing problems.
Protecting your teeth
Night guards and splints
The most common dental step is a guard worn while you sleep. MouthHealthy says your dentist may recommend a night guard, and that a custom guard made from a mold of your teeth gives the closest, most comfortable fit. Guards sold online and in stores may not provide the same protection as one made for you.
MedlinePlus describes mouth guards and splints as often used to protect the teeth from the pressure of grinding. It is candid about their limits: a well-fitting splint should help minimize the effects of grinding, but some people find symptoms return when they stop wearing it, and a splint may not work as well over time. There are many designs, some for the upper teeth and some for the lower, and if one type does not work another may.
Night guards are not sports guards
MouthHealthy points out that night guards are different from sports mouthguards, which are designed to cushion blows during activities like hockey, basketball or skating (MouthHealthy: Mouthguards). If you play sports and also grind, ask your dentist whether you need two different appliances.
Self-care that may help
MedlinePlus lists several self-care tips for sore jaw muscles: applying ice or damp heat, avoiding hard or dense foods such as nuts, candies and steak, not chewing gum, drinking plenty of water, getting enough sleep, gentle stretching exercises, massaging the muscles of the neck, shoulders and face, and practicing relaxing the face and jaw throughout the day. Reducing daily stress and learning relaxation techniques are part of the same approach. MedlinePlus also notes that Botox injections into the jaw muscles have shown some success for some people, and that approaches that help people unlearn clenching can be useful.
Repairing wear that has already happened
Enamel does not grow back, so the aim is to stop further damage and then restore what matters for comfort and function. Depending on how much tooth has been lost, a dentist might smooth a sharp edge, rebuild a worn edge with tooth-colored resin, or recommend a crown for a tooth that is cracked or heavily worn. Our guides to dental bonding and crown types explain those options. Dentists generally want grinding under control first, because the same forces that wore the natural tooth can also chip a new restoration.
If your dentist proposes several restorations at once, ask which teeth are most urgent and which can wait while you see whether a guard is working. Our article on reading a dental treatment plan can help you organize those questions.
Questions to ask your dentist
- What signs of grinding do you see, and which teeth are most affected?
- Is the wear active, or could it be from years ago?
- Would a custom night guard help me, and should it be upper or lower?
- How will we know if the guard is working, and how often should it be checked?
- Are any of my teeth at risk of cracking now?
- Should I talk to a physician about my sleep?
Frequently asked questions
Can I tell if I grind my teeth at night?
Often not by yourself. Clues include morning jaw soreness or headaches, a partner hearing grinding, and wear your dentist spots during an exam. MouthHealthy notes that dentists and hygienists are often the first to notice.
Is a drugstore night guard good enough?
It may be better than nothing, but MouthHealthy says store-bought guards may not offer the same protection as a custom guard made from a mold of your teeth. Ask your dentist before relying on one long term.
Will a night guard stop me from grinding?
Not necessarily. A guard mainly protects the teeth from the forces of grinding. MedlinePlus notes that symptoms may return when people stop using a splint, which is why stress reduction and other approaches are often combined with it.
Is grinding the same as TMJ disorder?
They are related but not identical. MedlinePlus explains that the pressure of grinding can cause temporomandibular joint problems. Our TMJ and TMD guide covers jaw joint symptoms specifically.
Do children grind their teeth?
Children can grind too. Mention it to your child’s dentist, who can check for wear and advise whether anything needs to be done as their teeth change.
Sources
- MedlinePlus: Bruxism
- MouthHealthy (ADA): Teeth grinding
- MouthHealthy (ADA): Mouthguards
- MouthHealthy (ADA): Sensitive teeth
By the Dentist Review Editorial Team.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Talk to a licensed dentist about your own situation. See our disclaimer.
Featured image: “Retainer” by Hondur, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized and compressed for the web.
Our guides are written and reviewed by the Dentist Review editorial team. We research each topic using public, authoritative sources such as the CDC, the National Institutes of Health (NIH/NIDCR), the American Dental Association (ADA) and CMS, and we update guides when guidance changes. Guides are for general information only and are not dental or medical advice; please read our disclaimer and learn more about us.